At Force Technologies Limited, we provide strategic solutions to address semiconductor obsolescence. One of our services is a Custom Designand Re-Creation offering, which delivers a guaranteed Form, Fit, and Function (FFF) or 1:1 replacement for discontinued or unsupported components.
You can discover more about Fit, Form and Function in this post.
What is Custom Design and Re-Creation?
When no replacement exists, our custom design service replicates the original part with exacting detail. This ensures full compatibility with your existing systems while allowing for potential performance enhancements and increased longevity through modern design practices.
Our Process
Every project begins with a detailed quote that includes:
- Non Recurring Engineering (NRE) cost
- Unit cost for production
- Estimated lead time
- Identification of any technical or legal constraints
The project moves forward in three phases:
- An initial 33 percent NRE payment to begin design and analysis
- A second 33 percent payment upon fabrication of initial wafer prototypes
- The final 33 percent is invoiced once the customer approves packaged samples and signs off on the design
If the design requires refinement, we provide revised samples at no additional cost until the customer confirms the solution meets all requirements.
Key Benefits of Our Redesign Service
- Guaranteed Form, Fit, and Function drop-in compatibility
- Option to integrate performance or reliability enhancements
- Long-term availability and support for 20 to 30 years or more
- Use of current manufacturing processes and quality standards
- Trusted by aerospace, defence, industrial, and rail sectors for critical applications
Considerations and Timelines
This approach is ideal for customers planning long-term support strategies. Typical lead times for first prototypes range from six to twelve months. Although NRE costs are structured in phases, this solution requires upfront investment and is not suited for emergency replacements.
Technical Overview
Our process includes:
- Imaging and reverse engineering of the original device
- Conversion into a GDS database
- Extraction of a transistor-level schematic
- Translation into a gate-level Verilog netlist
- Simulation, verification, and custom ASIC fabrication
Prior to initiating any work, we assess the presence of patents or proprietary technologies and address all legal and compliance considerations accordingly.
For more information on our custom semiconductor redesign capabilities, please contact: sales@forcetechnologies.co.uk
Can Force Technologies replicate any semiconductor device?
We aim to replicate any obsolete or unsupported part, but this depends on the availability of samples, technical data, and legal limitations like patents.
Will the redesigned component work as a direct drop-in replacement?
Yes. Our service guarantees Form, Fit, and Function compatibility, meaning it is a 1:1 drop-in replacement with no modification needed on your side.
Is it possible to enhance performance or reliability in the redesigned part?
Yes, we can often integrate performance, efficiency, or reliability enhancements using modern processes without compromising compatibility.